Support Global Mission Interns by giving to Week of Compassion

January 30, 2013

In 1951, Week of Compassion began partnering with the United Christian Missionary Society to support “fraternal workers”, a program which made possible the assignment of qualified young people to work with projects overseas, many of these related to the rebuilding of war-torn Europe. In 1971, the Division of Overseas Ministries took over administration of this program, which continued to be supported by Week of Compassion, to provide for the participation of members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in short term (1-3 years) service with partners around the world. Since 1995 and the establishment of Global Ministries as a shared ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, this initiative has continued as the Global Mission Intern (GMI) Program. Today, Global Ministries continues its commitment to offer opportunities for young adults from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ to engage in the work of the global church. And Week of Compassion continues to support this program by providing funds for young adults to engage their world and challenge themselves as they live out their call in love, learning, and service.

Global Ministries currently has nine GMI’s serving with various partners around the world, and over the next four weeks you will find articles included in the Weekly Update which highlight the work in which they and Global Ministries partners are involved. We hope that as you read about these young adults, you will be inspired to learn more about this exciting program and even share it with friends and family who might be interested in serving internationally through Global Ministries.

Sharing the news of the Global Mission Intern Program during these weeks corresponds to the annual Week of Compassion offering, which will be collected during the final two Sundays of February (17th and 24th) in Disciples congregations throughout the United States and Canada.

In giving to this special offering, you will be supporting Global Ministries’ ability to enable young adults to serve God and discern their place in God’s world.